Ukraine Introduction

Ukraine is a place of natural beauty and rich history where you will find a captivating blend of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. The historic monuments, awe-inspiring palaces and archaeological sites are among the main reasons why tourists travel to this destination. More than 500 of Ukraine’s cities date back some 900 years.

You can visit ornate palaces and castles where czars once spent their summers, while the Crimean coastline is the Ukrainian version of the French Riviera. The Carpathian Mountains poses as a mini Swiss Alps, while in the busting capital Kyiv, citizens flaunt gallant fashions and bold attitudes as they smoke, drink, dance and sing wherever and whenever they want. Outside the urban centres, the country is surprisingly lush with 17 per cent of its landscape draped in diverse forest.

Ukraine’s culture is heavily influenced by Christianity, which is expressed in the art, architecture and festivals throughout the country. The tradition of the Easter egg, known as pysanky, has extensive roots in Ukraine and is thousands of years old, preceding the arrival of Christianity. Gender roles also tend to be more traditional, with grandparents playing a significant role in raising children.The country has a surprisingly rich history and is best expressed in the historical preservation of Lviv, one of the oldest cities in Europe. Between Kyiv and Lviv, visitors can absorb as much Slavic culture as they desire. Then proceed on over to the Black Sea town of Odessa to see how modern Ukrainians are living and socialising in the world today.

After a tumultuous past, Ukrain is successfully evolving toward democracy and making progress in expanding the freedoms and rights of its people. It makes a fabulous destination for the intrepid traveller in search of rich history and contact with vivacious people.

Ukraine Travel Guides

The Orange Revolution in 2004 ushered in a new era for Ukraine, rousing a sense of national pride that can still be felt in the air. In the bustling capital Kyiv, the citizens wear the latest fashions and flaunt their newfound freedoms in the local cafés and clubs. But there’s a lot more to this ‘new’ country than most visitors could imagine. Ukraine has been around in one form or another for well over 1,000 years. The Kyiv Rus culture, which flourished in Kyiv during the 9th century, gave birth to the future nations of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. more...

Carpathian National ParkUkraine’s largest national park encompasses over 503 square kilometres, but only 25 per cent of it is protected from the industrial logging which will eventually spell its demise. The protected area is stunning and is home to a variety of animals such as wolves, brown bears, lynx, deer and bison. Ukraine’s highest mountain is also located within the park. Mount Hoverla rises 2061 metres from the valley floor. If the children need a place to run around, this is by far the best option. Phone: +380 03434 22 817. more...

New Year Tree ShowEach winter, the Ukraine Palace hosts traditional New Year Tree shows, which are Christmas concerts for kids. Games, costume competitions, singing and dancing also happen before the main concert. more...

The region of Ukraine has been populated for a very long time, despite only recently forming itself as a nation. The main cities of Kyiv, Lviv and Odessa offer a number of interesting things to see and do. The antiquity of Kyiv’s churches and cobbled streets will surprise many first-time visitors to Ukraine. Lviv is often considered a living cultural museum with its stunning architecture and devotion to the heritage of Ukrainian people. The wine growing region of the Crimea is another lovely area and of course, there’s always the magnificent Carpathian Mountains. Ukraine receives scant publicity for its attractions, but the reality shows a country that has a long and diverse history which has been fairly well preserved in its cities, and a beautiful countryside to complement the urban environment. more...

Air Kyiv is connected with most of the major European cities and a handful in North America. Most international flights arrive at the small Boryspil International Airport in Kyiv, about 40kms southeast of the city centre. There is also an airport at Lviv, about 8kms west of its centre, which has international connections with Warsaw, Prague, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London and Chicago. Odessa's airport is about 12kms southwest of downtown, and mainly caters to flights to and from Vienna and Moscow. Ukraine International Airlines and Aerosviot are the country’s two main carriers, but most of the other big airlines are also represented in Kyiv’s airport. more...

Currency should only be exchanged at banks or official currency booths on the street. There is a thriving black market for changing money in Ukraine, but it can be dangerous and is not recommended. The best way to get cash in Ukraine is to use your ATM card from home. Every major city in Ukraine has a developed network of ATMs, which dispense the money in local currency. This will ensure the best rate and least amount of trouble. Credit cards are not readily accepted. more...